5
Free the Executive Branch from Special Interest Influence
Close the Revolving Door on Former and Future Employers: No political appointees in an Obama
administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to
their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch
after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration.
Free Career Officials from the Influence of Politics: Obama will issue an executive order asking all
new hires at the agencies to sign a form affirming that no political appointee offered them the job solely on
the basis of political affiliation or contribution.
Reform the Political Appointee Process: FEMA Director Michael Brown was not qualified to head
the agency, and the result was a disaster for the people of the Gulf Coast. But in an Obama administration,
every official will have to rise to the standard of proven excellence in the agency's mission.
OBAMA'S RECORd
Federal Ethics Reform
Obama and Senator Feingold (D-WI) took on both parties and proposed ethics legislation that was
described as the "gold standard" for reform. It was because of their leadership that ending subsidized
corporate jet travel, mandating disclosure of lobbyists' bundling of contributions, and enacting strong new
restrictions of lobbyist-sponsored trips became part of the final ethics bill that was signed into law. The
Washington Post wrote in an editorial, "The final package is the strongest ethics legislation to emerge from
Congress yet."
Google for Government
Americans have the right to know how their tax dollars are spent, but that information has been hidden
from public view for too long. That's why Barack Obama and Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) passed a law to
create a Google-like search engine to allow regular people to track federal grants, contracts, earmarks, and
loans online. The Chicago Sun-Times wrote, "It would enable the public to see where federal money goes
and how it is spent. It's a brilliant idea."
Illinois Reform
In 1998, Obama joined forces with former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon (D-IL) to pass the toughest campaign finance
law in Illinois history. The legislation banned the personal use of campaign money by Illinois legislators and
banned most gifts from lobbyists. Before the law was passed, one organization ranked Illinois worst among
50 states for its campaign finance regulations.
A High Standard
Unlike other candidates Obama's campaign refuses to accept contributions from Washington lobbyists and
political action committees.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Read and Watch the Speech:
http://www.barackobama.com/2007/06/22/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_17.php
Read the Plan:
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/TakingBackOurGovernmentBackFinalFactSheet.pdf
ETHICS